It was the nasty stuff in the bottles that took away their reason.
"I was never the same dog again.

I was quite deaf in my right ear, and though I strove against it, I was so terribly afraid of even the sight of a gun that I would run and hide myself whenever one was shown to me.
My master was very angry with those young men, and it seemed as if he could not bear the sight of me.

One day he took me very kindly and brought me here, and asked Mr.Morris if he did not want a good-natured dog to play with the children.
"I have a happy home here and I love the Morris boys; but I often wish that I could keep from putting my tail between my legs and running home every time I hear the sound of a gun." "Never mind that, Jim," I said.

"You should not fret over a thing for which you are not to blame.

I am sure you must be glad for one reason that you have left your old life." "What is that ?" he said.
"On account of the birds.